It's not that I dislike the kid - on the contrary, I always root for him and really want him to succeed. He's just so. Freaking. Frustrating. WHY can't he pitch at the major league level this year? He did it last year and showed great potential - getting all of our hopes up! Then this year... the hell? What happened, Philly Cheesesteak?

Here's what he did last year (AKA The Great FOOLED YOU Caper):Appearances: 13IP: 72.7Record: 5-3ERA: 4.46WHIP: 1.208Shining Moment: 5/1/07, when he took a no-hitter into the 6th against the Rangers.

And now let's take a gander at how he's done this year:Appearances: 7IP: 26.0Record: 0-4ERA: 7.96WHIP: 2.038Shining Moment: Um... I guess going 4 innings and giving up 1 run yesterday.

See what I'm saying, munecas? Yes, he only have up 1 run yesterday, but he really didn't look good and it took him 89 pitches to get through it.

Don't get me wrong - I haven't totally given up on the dude. He was rushed into the majors in the first place and he's had a lot of injury problems. There is certainly a chance for a turnaround. It's just painful to watch him at the moment, and I implore any of you to disagree.

Well...like you say he was rushed into the biggies and maybe he just needs more confidence and bulk, aka training, not juice. I give him another year, maybe two to make it and think he will. On the other hand, IK may not have all the talent he thinks he has, i.e. not so fast fastball. Keep Hughes, try to get someone for IK.

Do you forget his first outing of the year? 6IP, 2runs, 1BB and 4Ks. It was after that when he began to struggle. I think that he may have been dealing with the rib injury longer than he let on.

Take into account the pressure on him being the "wonder-boy" to good to trade for Johan Santana. Then factor in the roster member ready to have his face put on band aides and I could see him wanting to play through it. He had a lot to live up to as a 22 year old in a media crazed city. We all know how quickly NY can turn on a ball player, right Arod?

I know the fact that the Yankees may not (math hasn't said it is a definitive no yet so.....) make the playoffs has darkened your view of what remains of this season but all is well. Hughes will be the "wonder-boy" all Yankees fans will remember as the best trade not made.

How would you like to see the off season unfold for the Yanks?

Just in case Hughes and Joba read this blog: "STOP PLAYING VIDEO GAMES!!!!!!!! THEY STRAIN ARM AND ELBOW TENDONS!!!!!"

In 2009 Curtis Granderson published a book: All You Can Be: Dream It, Draw It, Become It! Granderson "shares the lessons that he learned growing up--the importance of family and choosing the right friends, the power of listening and staying positive, and most important, the value of being yourself."